Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
My stomach twisted when she said the word fair. For the first time, the magnitude of what I was doing hit me. If I didn’t stop this wedding, then Matteo was going to sleep with Antonia, assuming she was healthy and not pregnant, when at least one of those things was not true.
I pulled back against her grasp. “I don’t think—”
My father stood up and leaned forward with his fists on his desk. “Think? No one asked you to think. Sit your ass down and let the doctor stick it to you.”
Frightened of what would happen if I tried to delay or object further, I sat in the chair nearest to Dr. Pantona.
Aunt Gabriella turned to my father with a wintry smile. “You have such a confident manner of speaking for a man of your size and intellect.”
My father sucked in his stomach and pushed his chest out, strutting from behind his desk. “It comes naturally to me.”
She chuckled as she folded her long, elegant fingers in front of her. “I’m sure it does.”
I had to cover my mouth and cough to hide my laughter. It was clear my father had absolutely no idea she was insulting him.
Dr. Pantona spoke for the first time. “Roll up your sleeve, please,” he asked gently as he gave me a kind smile that softened his tired eyes a bit.
As I moved to do so, my father stopped me. “Wait just a moment.” He leveled a sharp glare at Matteo. “Just so we are agreed, if this test doesn’t go the way you want it, you pay me half the bride price anyway. And if it does, you pay in full.”
Matteo nodded. “I’ll honor the signed bridal agreement. You will receive half a million if I’m unsatisfied with the test results. Or a million if I am, and she leaves for Abruzzo tonight with me. Either way, you keep your end of the bargain by supporting Dante Agnello, who arranged this little favor for you.”
My father nodded back. “Agreed. Salvatore was an arrogant prick, anyway.”
Nearly choking at the sum, my mind reeled. A freaking million euros!
Wait, did he say tonight?
I shot out of my seat. “Tonight? She couldn’t possibly—I mean—I couldn’t possibly leave tonight! I need at least a few weeks to prepare.” I struggled to think of reasons that would sound like my sister. “I need time to shop for a whole new wardrobe… and my wedding dress!”
Matteo’s gaze moved over me, pausing at my mouth and then dropping lower.
His gaze caressed me, prompting me to check the zipper over my breasts.
His lips quirked up at the corner.
Apparently, his aunt wasn’t the only one who could read minds.
He then bowed his head slightly. “We have personal shoppers on retainer who can get you whatever you need. I will also arrange for the different haute couture fashion houses of Rome to travel to the winery to show you wedding dress designs. Trust me, they are used to it.”
“Can’t I do that here?”
He crossed his arms as his brow lowered, clearly not happy with my objections. “No. I need you in Abruzzo. We must see Father Luca for the banns and then there is the planning of the wedding. It will take a few weeks, allowing us more time to get to know each other before our vows.”
With a wave of my hands in front of me, I shook my head. “This is moving too fast. I won’t—”
“Enough!” my father roared before backhanding me.
Unprepared for the assault, I fell back onto my chair with a cry as the side of my face exploded in pain. It wasn’t nearly the first time he had hit me. I was just usually braced for it.
Before anyone could respond, Matteo lunged.
His arm struck out to grab my father by the throat. Despite my father’s considerable bulk, Matteo effortlessly shoved him backward until he slammed against the wall. Then Matteo lifted him by the throat until his feet left the floor.
Terrified, I moved to stop him.
Aunt Gabriella stood in front of me as she threw out her arm across my chest. “Leave the men be, dear,” she said calmly, despite the display of violence.
Matteo ground out through clenched teeth, “If you ever dare to lay a hand on her again, I will slice your throat and throw your body into the Caspian Sea. Do you understand me?”
My father’s face turned purple as he struggled against Matteo’s grasp. A white foam of spittle formed in the corners of his mouth as he choked out, “She’s my daughter. I’ll treat her as I like.”
“Wrong. She’s my future wife and I will not have her disrespected.”
Butterflies fluttered and spun in my stomach at his declaration.
“Do you know who I am?”
Matteo tilted his head to the side. “Sure. You’re my wife’s dead father if you don’t concede.”